Tuesday, 1 February 2011

I remember thinking after the first Re-Inventing the Lamington craziness (which was last year) that I could not believe how many people had been persuaded by my madness to get baking, dipping, rolling, coating and generally dirtying their kitchens. This year, even more people have done so. It has made me unspeakably happy.

Before we get to the entries for 2011's Re-Inventing the Lamington, I'm just going to run you through how I'll be judging this year. Basically, I'm not. I have enlisted the help of some fantastic bloggers, people whose blogs I read every day myself, and convinced them to do it for me. They'll each choose three entries that they think are the best, and with any luck, this will present a clear winner. I am going to choose the second prize Kewpie-winner myself though, so don't call me a cop out.

The judges of Re-Inventing the Lamington 2011, then, are:

Mary, The Food LibrarianI've never actually met Mary, but I think we'd get on really well, since we have so much in common. We both work with trollies (hers for books, mine for airline meals), we both the prefer cake to the frosting, and we both go on crazy baking marathons from time to time. Mary loves Sing-Along-A-Sound of Music; you'd get on with her too.

Stef, Cupcake ProjectStef made lamington cupcakes last year, and taught me how to make the best frosting in the world - ever - before that. You would think she'd have run out of cupcake ideas by now since she posts pretty much weekly, but no. She is literally never going to stop making cupcakes. And that makes me supremely happy.

And now, without further ado, I give you the 2011 lamington hit parade! They're listed in the order I received them. Who would alphabetise cakes?

Sanjana of Ko Rasoi entered twice this year, and I am just blown away by how deliciously beautiful her lamingtons are. She writes one of those blogs where you just want to eat everything anyway, but these really are special. Look at the pistachio glass candy! I mean, say it. OH. MY. GOD.

Accro came up with these fantasic little lamingtons that look like chocolate bombs. I'd eat any of the lamingtons on this page, but you have to admit these ones are rather special. I appreciate the Errol Flynn photographs in the post too. Don't you?

Katherine doesn't have a blog, but she made these babies and actually used my lamington base recipe for them, so she gets extra cool points from me. The apple filled cakes are rolled in warm cream cheese frosting and then a home made streusel before being baked again to make the coating crisp. Katherine ended her email with the words 'I hope you like my idea!'

Cakelaw made the first re-invented lamingtons I received that retained the coconut. I love a lady that respects tradition, but doesn't mind playing with it. One question though: if she really is a lawyer, how does she find all this time to bake?

This year we had two entries from Jana. They have a German theme, and I want them both. Especially the second one. But Mr. Other P would rather the first. Jana - have you got the number for Fed-Ex handy?

Baumkuchen LamingtonsWhen I saw the lamingtons that follow for the first time, I nearly screamed. They don't involve much baking (well, actually, no baking whatsoever), but they are some of my absolute favourites. We have Sticky Penguin to thank for them.

TimTamingtonsThe Australian theme continues with this lamington-themed desert from Katren. I have never made a pavlova. Can you believe that? I think it won't be long coming, having seen this.

Dom promised himself and his mister that he wouldn't bake for the whole of January. I say two things. One: New Year's Resolutions are there for the breaking. Two: lamingtons are worth it. Especially when you make three kinds! Thanks, Dom.

I bet these lamingtons were so tasty that it actually makes me quite cross that I wasn't able to taste them. Mardi - you've done it again. Please move to South Wales so I can eat your food for real.

Pumpkin LamingtonsCurtis blogs at Wannabe Culinarian, and entered THREE times. This in itself deserves respect (and the third set are sensational-looking). But in addition to the lamingtons, I want to draw attention to the cuteness of Curtis' profile picture and the fact that his blog has a bloody amazing music box thing that means you can clean up the lamington mess you made in the kitchen while dancing to Natalie Cole. Yes. Really.

I'm going to gush a little now. Kaitlin - yes, the Whisk Kid herself - entered this year. Do you know how often I look at her blog, and drool, and wish I could make just one thing that was even half as beautiful as what she does? Love these ones. LOVE. Even though I hate maraschino cherries.